Sample-display case



(No Model.) v W. A. FORESMAN. SAMPLE DISPLAY CASE.

em 9 U a w W W m m f I? P Wmesses: fflwz UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM A. FORESMAN, OF ST. JOSEPH, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR TO S. F.

v BOWSER & 00., OF FORT WAYNE, INDIANA.

SAM PLE-DIZS PLAY CASE.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 537,026, dated April 9, 1 895.

I Application filed January 2. 1894. Renewed Novem hr.28, 1894- Serial No. 530. (N modeL) To aZZ whom it may concern. Be it known that I, WILLIAM A. Foans MAN, of St. Joseph, Buchanan county, Missouri, have invented certain new and useful structure of this character, which may be easiiy secured in or removed from position;

wherein the display goods are supported in an artistic and attractive manner, and may be easily removed from the case when desired or necessary, and which is simple and inexpensive of construction.

A further object of the invention, is to provide a structure which will perform at once, the function of a door to give access to the interiorof the box containing the goods, a sample of which is displayed in the case, and of a desirable and ornamental fixture for the store.

With these objects in view, my invention consistsin certain peculiar and novel features of construction and combination of parts, as will be hereinafter described and claimed.

In order that my invention may be fully understood, I will proceed to describe it with reference to the accompanying drawings, in whiclr- V Figure l, is a perspective view of a box, between two shelves in dotted lines, and showing applied thereto in operative position, a sample display case constructed in accordance with my invention. Y Fig. 2, is a detail perspective view of the sample display case in its opened position. Fig. 3, is a rear view ofthe sample display case in its closed position. Fig. 4, is a vertical section taken on the line 44, of Fig. 3. Fig. 5, is a detail perspective view of a portion of a plate for securing the display goods in position.

In the said drawings, 1, designates a rectangular frame, which is provided with an opening, 2. This opening is adapted to be closed or nearly closed by a slide-door 3, which is retained in position by the cleats, 4. The pins, 5, securing said cleats vertically to the back or inner side of the frame, and marginally of each end of the opening, 2, form a stop orlimit for the slide-door, 3. There is enough frictional resistance between the slide'door, 3, and theretaining cleats, 4, to support said slide-doorin its elevated position or in any position of adjustment desired by the operator.

6 designates a rectangular and annular frame, and the space within said frame is closed by the transparent panel, 7, which is secured near the outer side of said frame. This frame, provided with the transparent panel, is now hinged at 8, to the outer or front side of the frame, 1, adjacent to one of the vertical margins of the opening, 2, and this door, so formed, is adapted to close said opening 2,-a t times. Arranged horizontally and in the rear of the transparent panel, 7, and

bridging the spacein rear thereof, of the door, is a bar,10, and this bar has its outer side beveled downwardly and outwardly, as shown at 11, for a purpose to be presently explained.

A plate, 12, conforming in size and outline to the space in the door in rear of the transparent panel, is provided with a series of holes or apertures, 13, these holes or apertures being preferably punchedtherethrough to form a rough surface at its outer side, for a purpose to be hereinafter explained. This plate is interposed between the transparent panel and thecross-bar, 10, and is arranged a slight distance from said transparent panel, so as to form a vertical space, 14, for the reception of the sample articles or goods. In order to support and secure the perforated plate in the position described, the wedgeblock, 15, is forced downward between the cross-bar 10, and the said perforated plate. This wedge-block is preferably inclined or beveled at its rear face, at 16, to correspond witlrand fit snugly against the beveled or inclined face 11 of the cross-bar,10, and the outer face of the wedge-block, 15, is arranged vertically so as to fit squarely against the rear or inner face of the perforated plate, 12. Projecting from the margin of the opening, 2,0pposite to that where the door is hinged, is a pin, 19, and projecting rearward from the inner or rear face of the door, adjacent to its free margin, is a spring catch, 18, and this spring catch, when the door is closed, engages the pin, 19, and holds the door in its closed position. The door at its outer side is provided with a knob or handle, 17, by which it may be grasped to open the door when it is necessary or desired.

A sample display case, so constructed, is adapted to be secured by means of set-screws, 20, or other suitable means to the open end of a box, 21, so as to form practically the remaining end of the box, when the door is closed. Should this box contain crackers, a sample of the crackers is arranged in rear of the transparent panel, 7, and is secured in such position, by the perforated plate, 12, and the wedge-block, 15. It will be apparent that if force enough be applied upon the wedgeblock, it will not be necessary to havethe outer side of the perforated plate roughened nor even to have it perforated, but it is preferable to so construct the plate, because the roughened surface grasps and retains its grip upon the sample goods or articles and so prevents any accidental shaking the box may receive, dislodging the sample articles or goods when arranged in an artistic or attractive manner. It will be apparent further, when the box is arranged between a pair of shelves or occupying any other position, from which it is inconvenient to remove it that by opening the door, and pushing down the slide door, 3, the goods may be retailedfrom the box without difficulty. hen the box is full, the goods may be removed without forcing the slidedoor downward, and as the quantity of goods in the box is gradually reduced, the slide-door may be forced downward to a corresponding degree. From this construction, it will be seen that the slide-door 3, is utilized to almost close the space or opening, 2, 0r sufficiently to prevent the goods from falling from the box through said opening.

From the above description it will be seen, that I have produced a sample display case, which closes the open end of a box and also forms a door therefor; thus obviating the necessity of any other door, slide or cut-off for the box; which allows of retailing from the box, whether full or empty, regulated by the slide-door, 3; which is easily secured in or removed from position; which is of ornamental appearance, and simple and inexpensive of construction. This display case is, of course,

to be used for the display of fruit and for any other purpose for which it is applicable.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A sample display case, comprisinga door having a transparent panel, against which the sample is placed, a bar carried by the door in rear of the transparent panel, a plate arranged against the inner side of the sample, and an unyielding wedge interposed between and bearing against the rear face of the plate and the adjacent face of the cross-bar, sub stantially as set forth.

2. A sample display case, comprising a door having a transparent panel, against which the sample is placed, a plate perforated to form a roughened face which bears directly against the inner side of the sample, a cross-bar carried by the door in rear or inward of the transparent panel, and having a beveled outer or front face, and an unyielding wedge bearing against the rear side of the perforated plate, ahd having its rear beveled face engaging the correspondingly beveled front face of the cross-bar, substantially as set forth.

3. In asample display case, the combination with a box having an open end, a frame having an opening and secured to said box, and a slide door for said opening, of adoor hinged to said frame, and provided with a transparentpanel,against which the sample is placed, a plate, and means to hold said plate unyieldingly against the rear side of the sample, substantially as set forth.

4. In a sample display case, the combination with a frame, having an opening, a slide-door controlling said opening, a pin projecting from said frame, of a door provided with a transparent panel and hinged to said frame, so as to cover said opening, when closed, a spring catch carried by said door, and engaging the said pin of the frame, and a plate, and means to force and hold the plate unyieldingly against a sample placed against the transparent panel of the door, and means to secure the frame against the open end of a box, to cover the same, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM A. FORESMAN.

\Vitnesses:

ADOLPH TRIPS, HERMAN PRESCHER. 

